Shimla: High mountain passes in Himachal Pradesh received fresh light snowfall while several mid-hill areas, including the state capital Shimla, were lashed by heavy hailstorm on Thursday. The unseasonal weather has caused visible damage to standing crops, particularly apple orchards and vegetables.
According to local reports, light snowfall was recorded on the high reaches of Rohtang Pass, Shinku La, Baralacha La and Kunzum Pass in Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts. Meanwhile, heavy hail accompanied by thunder and lightning struck Shimla city and nearby tourist spots including Kufri, Fagu, Theog and Mashobra.
Farmers reported substantial damage to apple crops due to the hailstorm. The hailstones also affected vegetable crops such as peas, cauliflower and other seasonal produce in the orchards of Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts. In the lower areas of the state, the ongoing wheat harvesting was badly disrupted as rain and hail made fields difficult to work in.
The Meteorological Centre, Shimla has issued a fresh weather warning. It has forecast strong winds reaching up to 40 kmph accompanied by widespread rainfall in most districts except Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur on May 3 and 4. However, on May 1 and 2, weather is likely to remain mainly dry and clear in most parts of the state, with light snowfall and rain possible only at isolated high reaches.
In the past 24 hours, the highest rainfall was recorded at Jubbadhatti in Shimla with 34 mm, followed by Sarahan with 30 mm, Shimla city with 20 mm and Nahan with 6 mm.
Due to the fresh spell of snow, hail and rain, maximum temperatures witnessed a fluctuation of two to three degrees Celsius across the state. While some places recorded a drop, others saw a slight increase. Una recorded a drop of 2.6 degrees, whereas Dharamshala, Bhuntar and Mandi saw an increase of three degrees in day temperatures.
Day temperatures remained below normal in most parts. Manali and Bhuntar recorded 6.5 degrees below normal, while Mandi was 4.8 degrees below normal. Minimum temperatures also dropped by one to two degrees in many areas.
Strong winds were reported in Tabo at a speed of 50 kmph, while gusty winds were also felt in Kangra district.
Una recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 33.4 degrees Celsius. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded at important stations are as follows:
- Shimla: 12.8 – 21.2 °C
- Sundernagar: 13.7 – 30.5 °C
- Bhuntar: 10.5 – 23.4 °C
- Kalpa: 5.2 – 16.5 °C
- Dharamshala: 5.2 – 29.0 °C
- Kangra: 16.7 – 31.6 °C
- Una: 18.2 – 33.4 °C
- Nahan: 17.1 – 30.4 °C
- Solan: 13.0 – 28.0 °C
The India Meteorological Department has advised farmers to take necessary precautions to protect standing crops and harvested produce from the expected weather changes. Tourists visiting high-altitude areas have been asked to check weather updates before travelling and carry adequate woollens.
This mixed weather pattern is typical during the spring-to-summer transition in Himachal Pradesh, but the intensity of hail in fruit-growing belts has raised concerns among horticulturists. Officials from the Horticulture Department are assessing the extent of damage in the affected areas.
